If you could create your own fantasy board of directors, who would be on it? CO— connects you with thought leaders from across the business spectrum and asks them to help solve your biggest business challenges. In this edition, we ask an expert about how moms can succeed while running a business and raising their children.
In this edition of “Ask the Board,” we asked Kate Assaraf, mom and Founder of Dip, a sustainable hair care company, to share her advice for moms on how to thrive in motherhood and business.
Balancing motherhood and small business ownership is no easy feat. However, with the mindset, it’s certainly possible. Here’s how you can succeed as both a mother and an entrepreneur.
Put your family first
At the end of life, there are three regrets that come up over and over again: "I did not live the life of my dreams" is one of them. No one's dream is to work themselves to death. Time management is a distraction from "life management" and we can get caught up in the minutiae of both motherhood & entrepreneurship instead of the real moments that matter.
The best advice is to remember that, unless you are a surgeon or in a lifesaving job, work rarely matters. Put the moments in your life that matter first, and the work moments second. It's all about perspective.
Take advantage of the local digital communities
Facebook, libraries, chamber of commerce chapters, rotary clubs—they're full of people who will champion you and your business, and chances are, there will be other mothers in the mix that will share your experience. The camaraderie of motherhood is strong, even among strangers—it's a built-in empathetic network to your struggles.
Take baby steps
It is perfectly okay to give yourself grace and overcome obstacles at a pace that works for you, your family, your business, and your clients. Mothers already know that mountains are overcome one step at a time.
Put the moments in your life that matter first, and the work moments second.
Kate Assaraf, Founder of Dip
Set boundaries
Boundaries are the most important item in the toolkit of a mother and entrepreneur. You do not need to answer every email, or text, or voicemail that comes your way—mute what you don't have space for. Make sure to reserve time for yourself; remember who you are and how much you and your peace are worth.
Make yourself a priority
Once you enter motherhood, it feels counterintuitive to prioritize yourself—you spend so much time worrying about the health, sleep quality, and feeding of others that you forget to refuel yourself. When it is possible, focus on sleep.
It is so tethered to mental health, brain performance, mood and physical health. It took me a long time to do this myself; I used to pull all-nighters and work myself ragged and try and pull it all together for my family. I wasn't fooling anyone; I looked & acted as bad as I felt.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
